Sheffield United: Blades boss reveals his thoughts on last season

Chris Wilder’s assertion that every member of his squad will begin this season with a clean slate is only partly correct.

A lifelong supporter and former player, Sheffield United’s new manager closely followed the club’s performances in League One last term and, for the most part, was not impressed by what he saw.

There were, however, some notable exceptions. Billy Sharp, Wilder recently insisted, “did his job” after scoring 21 goals in 48 appearances. Matt Done has received plenty of honourable mentions in dispatches too.

But, speaking ahead of today’s game against Bolton Wanderers, Wilder explained why Chris Basham has also been included among a group of players asked to help coaching staff marshall United’s dressing room.

“Bash has been around the block,” Wilder said. “I’ve been mightily impressed with him.

“Only a few select players probably came through last season with their reputations intact and he was one of those. He’s a committed performer with a real desire to win. Two qualities any successful team must show in abundance.”

Chris Basham operated at wing-back towards the end of last season
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Basham started his professional career at Wanderers before joining United, following a four year spell at Blackpool, in 2014. Together with Sharp, Done and John Brayford, Wilder expects him to lead by example over the next nine months, saying: “These are lads, but not the only ones by the way, who drive things from the front.”